The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has favoured a “genuine” dialogue between India and Pakistan, saying it is the “best framework” for addressing the outstanding issues between them, including the Kashmir issue.
OIC Secretary General Yousef bin Ahmad Al-Othaimeen onThursday said that Jammu and Kashmir issue “is close to our hearts”and the grouping of Muslim nations would work towards its peaceful resolution.
“The Jammu and Kashmir crises is close to our heartsand is one of the most important issues on the agenda of the organization ofIslamic Cooperation, and therefore our commitment to the Jammu and Kashmircause has been and will remain firm,” he said while addressing the OICMinisterial Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir on the sidelines of the 14thSession of the Islamic Summit Conference in the holy city of Mecca.
Batting for talks to resolve the issue, the OIC SecretaryGeneral said: “I hope that a genuine dialogue between Pakistan and Indiawill resume, which will be the best framework for addressing all outstandingissues, particularly the Jammu and Kashmir issues.”The OIC will continue to work towards a peacefulsolution to the Kashmir issue, he said. India has maintained that the OIC hasno locus standi to comment on Kashmir, which is an internal matter.